Russia’s ‘stealth’ Su-57 Felon may have found its first export customer. The state arms exporter Rosoboronexport announced the first export order for the stealth aircraft, concealing details about the mysterious buyer.

State news agency Interfax reported on November 13 that the first contract for selling fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft has been inked. The company’s head, Alexander Mikheev, made the announcement in an interview with the TV channel “Russia-1” (VGTRK).

“The military-technical system should bring new types of weapons and military equipment to the market. Su-57 – by the way, we already have signed contracts for this aircraft,” said Alexander Mikheev. However, he stopped short of naming the buyer, triggering curiosity.

The news took the internet by storm and divided social media. Some military watchers observed that an official announcement made by the Rosoboronexport Chief means that the news is confirmed. Others were a little circumspect and took it with a pinch of salt, dismissing it as Russian propaganda.

Notably, the announcement comes as the Su-57 participates in China’s biennial Zhuhai Air Show, which kicked off on November 12 and runs till November 17. The export variant of the aircraft, the Su-57E, landed in China for the first time. This was followed by aerial demonstrations of the stealthy fighter, which captivated the audience with its agility and aerobatic maneuvers.

It is rather intriguing that Rosoboronexport announced the first contract even before the air show closed. The buyer’s identity and the contract’s date have been withheld for now, but the announcement indicates that the agreement may have been signed weeks or months in advance.

Alexander Mikheyev announced in 2021 that the export agency was in talks with five countries interested in buying the Su-57. At that time, experts speculated that friendly countries like India, Algeria, Vietnam, and Turkey may have shown interest in the jet. There are also unconfirmed reports that Algeria was set to become the first customer of Russia’s Su-57 stealth aircraft.

As the news about the aircraft’s first export order broke, social media was set abuzz with conjectures that Algeria had likely inked an agreement with Rosoboronexport. While Algeria has not confirmed the reports, analysts say it would drastically alter the balance of power in the region and strengthen Algeria’s influence.

Irrespective of the buyer, Moscow is jubilant about signing the first contract for the sale of the Su-57, which comes after a long period of lull.

However, it is unlikely to resolve the woes that have so far held up the aircraft’s export—including a protracted war, production-related difficulties exacerbated by overbearing Western sanctions, and persisting doubts over the aircraft’s capability.

Su-57 Woes Are Far From Over

The Su-57 Felon is a fifth-generation, multi-role stealth aircraft developed by Sukhoi under the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and manufactured at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ). The aircraft reportedly took its first flight in 2010 and entered service ten years later, in 2020.

Since its inception, the Su-57 has been plagued by problems. The fact that actual production didn’t start until 2019 indicates the industrial constraints that have hindered Russia’s military efforts. Moreover, 14 years after the aircraft’s maiden flight, fewer than 40 Su-57s are in service with Russia.

For at least the last three years, Russia’s focus on the conflict in Ukraine has resulted in delivery delays and limited production capacity, making it difficult to inspire confidence among prospective customers. In fact, several allies and partners that have traditionally purchased Russian military equipment have been exploring other alternatives to diversify their fleets.

The production target for 2024 was believed to be 24 Su-57 fighters. The UAC has delivered two batches of fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces this year, the first in September and the second earlier this month. Though the number of jets delivered is unknown, the UAC is not expected to meet the target that it had set.

Last month, a Ukrainian analysis group alleged that Russia had stalled the production of its ambitious fifth-generation Su-57 Felon aircraft as it struggled with international sanctions. The report also noted that the upgrade of the Su-57 aircraft had been throttled by the US and its allies via “targeted sanctions.”

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